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WORKSHOP ON MOTOR VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL

The workshop which was designed to evaluate the possibilities of motor vehicle noise reduction and the resultant impact on highway traffic noise, addressed four topic areas: (1) motor vehicle noise sources and noise-suppression possibilities; (2) effects of motor vehicle noise reduction on overall traffic noise and timetable for and obstacles to source control; (3) accomplishing source control at federal, state and local levels, including new-product versus in-use vehicles and assessing effectiveness of controls; and case studies of state and local regulations. The first session of the workshop identified the sources of vehicular noise along the roadways, as well as the technical alternatives to controlling the noise at the source. This will be an aid to understanding the regulatory requirements necessary for the implementation of economic abatement techniques, as well as the evaluation of the effects of noise reductions achieved through individual vehicle noise level. The second session explored the extent to which it may be possible to quantify the effect on overall traffic noise levels of noise reductions in specific categories of motor vehicles. The specific timetable that can be expected for the reduction of motor vehicle noise levels was also considered. Speakers at the third session, which identified and analyzed the critical elements needed to accomplish an effective source control program, provided information on enforcement program considerations, federal, state and local program integration, assessment of in-use and new-product source control strategies, and methods of measuring community benefit from source noise control. The fourth session suggested guidelines for administrative decisions, and presented three case histories to illustrate three different routes toward the goal of vehicle noise control.